Weekly Current Affairs Test : 22nd to 30th November 2025

Nepal has extended the survey license deadline for the West Seti Hydropower Project and allowed a direct agreement for another project by Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN) to support Indian power companies in developing hydropower in the Himalayan region. West Seti Hydropower Project is planned as a 750 Megawatt hydroelectric storage project on the Seti River, a tributary of the Karnali River in Nepal. It is a storage-based project, not a run-of-river project, allowing water to be stored during monsoon and electricity to be generated year-round. The project is being developed by National Hydro Power Corporation Limited (NHPC) of India under a Public-Private Partnership model.

The United States State Department has approved a possible sale of Javelin missiles and Excalibur projectiles to India worth 92.8 million USD, strengthening India–U.S. defence ties. The Javelin missile is an American-made, man-portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) jointly developed by Raytheon and Lockheed Martin. It is designed to destroy main battle tanks, light armoured vehicles, fortifications, bunkers, and even helicopters. It entered United States military service in 1996 and uses fire-and-forget technology, guiding itself after launch.

The Ministry of Steel has launched a new simplified registration facility called SARAL SIMS under the Steel Import Monitoring System (SIMS), effective from 21 November, to ease steel import procedures. SARAL SIMS simplifies registration for small consignments and export-oriented imports under Advance Authorization, Special Economic Zones (SEZs), and Export-Oriented Units (EOUs). It applies to steel and iron products under Chapters 72, 73, and 86 of the Indian Trade Classification – Harmonized System (ITC-HS), 2022. Importers will make one annual declaration and receive a single SARAL SIMS number usable for multiple consignments in a financial year.

Scientists have discovered a new owlfly species in Kerala after 134 years, named Protidricerus albocapitatus, marking a major entomological finding. It was found in the Nedumkayam forest in the Malappuram district of Kerala. The species belongs to the family Myrmeleontidae and the order Neuroptera. With this discovery, Kerala now has five known owlfly species, and India’s total has increased to 37 species. The owlfly has a white tufted head and clubbed antennae, making it easily identifiable.

The first India-born cheetah named Mukhi has recently given birth to five cubs at Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh, showing successful cheetah conservation efforts. Kuno National Park is located in the Sheopur district of Madhya Pradesh near the Vindhyan Hills. It was originally established as Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary in 1981 and upgraded to National Park in 2018. The park covers 750 square kilometres and is named after the Kuno River, a tributary of the Chambal River.

Recently, the Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change joined the 11th Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) Partner Countries’ Meeting. The JCM was first proposed by the Government of Japan and officially launched in 2013. It aims to spread advanced decarbonizing technologies and infrastructure through investment by Japanese entities to support sustainable development in partner countries. It is a bilateral mechanism implemented under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. It functions under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and complements the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and Joint Implementation (JI). India is one of the 31 partner countries of the JCM.

Recently, poachers killed two bison in the Chilfi East Range of the Bhoramdev Sanctuary in Kawardha, Chhattisgarh, raising serious concern for wildlife protection. Bhoramdev Wildlife Sanctuary, also called Bhoramdeo Wildlife Sanctuary, is located in Kawardha district of Chhattisgarh. It was notified as a sanctuary in 2001. It lies in the Maikal range of the Satpura hills, known for its rich and unique ecosystem. It forms part of the Kanha–Achanakmar Corridor linking Kanha National Park in Madhya Pradesh with Achanakmar Wildlife Sanctuary in Chhattisgarh

Recently, the Mahi River gained attention because it uniquely crosses the Tropic of Cancer twice due to a U-shaped loop in Rajasthan. Mahi is a major west-flowing interstate river of India, also called Mahisagar for its vastness. It flows through Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Gujarat. It originates on the northern slope of the Vindhya Mountain Range in Madhya Pradesh at about 500 metres above mean sea level. It flows south in Madhya Pradesh, enters the Vagad region of Rajasthan, forms a U-shaped loop and then enters Gujarat.

Recently, the Sangai Festival in Manipur began amid protests by internally displaced persons (IDPs) and NGOs, which affected public attendance. The festival is celebrated annually in Manipur. It is named after the Sangai, the state animal of Manipur. The festival aims to showcase Manipur’s rich cultural heritage and indigenous traditions. It highlights music, dance and native art forms of various Manipuri tribes and communities. The classical dance form ‘Ras Leela’ is the main attraction of the festival. The theme for 2025 is “Where blossoms breathe harmony.”

Recently, Jamaica declared an outbreak of leptospirosis after the destruction caused by Hurricane Melissa. Leptospirosis is a fatal bacterial disease. It is caused by the bacterium Leptospira interrogans, also called Leptospira. The bacteria enter the human body through tiny cracks or wounds in the skin, especially on the feet. It is more common in warm and humid regions across both urban and rural areas. The disease is contagious in animals and occasionally infects humans under suitable environmental conditions.

Tata Power Company Ltd signed agreements with Druk Green Power Corporation Ltd (DGPC) for the 1,125 Megawatt (MW) Dorjilung Hydroelectric Power Project in Bhutan. It is a run-of-river project located in Lhuentse and Mongar districts of Bhutan on the Kurichhu River, a tributary of the Drangmechhu flowing into India. It will be Bhutan’s 2nd-largest hydropower project and the largest Public–Private Partnership (PPP) hydro project in the country. The World Bank is financing the project, and it will be developed jointly under a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV).

Indian Naval Ship (INS) Sahyadri took part in the bilateral maritime exercise AUSINDEX 2025 in the Northern Pacific. AUSINDEX is held between India and Australia and has been conducted biennially since 2015. Aim of the exercise is to boost interoperability and strengthen the strategic partnership between both maritime nations. Warships and aircraft of both navies carried out joint operations including anti-submarine warfare, gunnery drills, and advanced flying operations. INS Sahyadri participated from India and HMAS Ballarat participated from Australia.

Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) released a revised draft of Bharat New Car Assessment Programme (Bharat NCAP) to rate crash safety of cars. Bharat NCAP began in October 2023 to test vehicles as per Automotive Industry Standard (AIS)-197 and give star ratings based on crashworthiness. New draft expands scope with new mandatory tests, revised scoring and focus on vulnerable road user protection for the first time. Bharat NCAP is voluntary and provides India-specific safety ratings; Central Institute of Road Transport (CIRT), Pune issues ratings.

Jharkhand government launched its annual public-service outreach campaign “Aapki Yojana – Aapki Sarkar – Aapke Dwar” through district-level camps. The first week theme is “Right to Service Week”, and this year’s campaign will run with sector-wise focus. Objective is doorstep governance, with government departments setting up camps at panchayat and block levels for on-spot services. Citizens can apply for Aadhaar-linked benefits, pension schemes, job cards, Ayushman Bharat cards and tribal welfare entitlements. Camps also support enrolment under state schemes like Abua Awas Yojana and Savitri Bai Phule Kishori Samriddhi Yojana.

Hilly villages of Garhwal in Uttarakhand celebrate Mangsir Bagwal, a post-Diwali folk festival rooted in agrarian life and local history. It is held in the lunar month of Mangsir (Margashirsha), about one month after Kartik Diwali, marking a delayed festival of lights. The celebration honours Garhwali commander Madho Singh Bhandari, who returned victorious from battle against Tibetan forces after Diwali. The festival coincides with the end of the winter-harvest season, when villagers gather for feasting, music and dance.

Sewage and untreated water are being released into the Pazhayar River in Nagercoil, raising serious concern among local residents about pollution. Pazhayar River is a major river in Kanniyakumari district, Tamil Nadu. It originates from Mahendragiri hills at 800 m above Mean Sea Level (MSL) and flows southwest.

Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) launched the Cyber Security Innovation Challenge (CSIC) 1.0 under the Information Security Education and Awareness (ISEA) Project. Information Security Education and Awareness (ISEA) Project is an initiative of Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). Its purpose is to build human resources in Information Security and spread awareness on cyber hygiene and cyber security. The project is implemented through 50 selected institutions in a hub-and-spoke model, including premier institutes like Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), National Institutes of Technology (NITs), and Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs).

Bharat Electronics Limited and Safran Electronics and Defence (SED) signed a joint venture to produce the HAMMER Weapon System in India. HAMMER stands for Highly Agile and Manoeuvrable Munition Extended Range, developed by French company Safran. It is an air-to-ground precision-guided weapon system, also called a glide bomb. It has a range of up to 70 km and can be attached to 250 kg, 500 kg, and 1,000 kg standard bombs. It is resistant to jamming, can be launched from low altitudes, and works well over rough terrain.

Hayli Gubbi volcano has erupted after 10,000 years, sending a massive ash cloud towards northern India. It is located in Ethiopia’s Afar region, northeast of Addis Ababa and close to the Eritrean border. It is a shield volcano situated in the Danakil Depression, one of the hottest and most remote places on Earth. Hayli Gubbi is the southernmost volcano in the Erta Ale range. The Erta Ale range is famous for persistent lava lakes and mainly consists of shield volcanoes. Hayli Gubbi has no previously recorded eruptions in modern history, making this event significant.

Bastar region is seeing increasing participation of Abhujmadia youth in events like the Bastar Olympics. Abhujmadia is a Primitive Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) living in Narayanpur, Dantewada, and Abujhmad areas of Bijapur district, Chhattisgarh. They are an ancestral and patriarchal tribe divided into several dynasties. They speak the Abujhbadia Gondi dialect. Abujhmaria women consider Godana (traditional tattooing) as a permanent and sacred form of jewellery

Arunachal Pradesh recently recorded a major scientific achievement with the discovery of a new plant species named Hoya dawodiensis. It was found in the Vijaynagar region of Changlang district, which is reachable only by air or long trekking routes. Hoya plants are tropical flowering species known for their ecological importance and unique shape. They are also called wax plants or porcelain flowers due to their shiny, wax-like flowers. Hoyas are native to Asia, Australia, and Pacific Islands but also grow well as indoor plants. They need bright indirect light, well-draining soil, and prefer humid conditions.

The Union Cabinet approved the Scheme to Promote Manufacturing of Sintered Rare Earth Permanent Magnets with a budget of ₹7,280 crore. The scheme aims to set up 6,000 Metric Tons per Annum (MTPA) of Rare Earth Permanent Magnet (REPM) production in India. REPMs are very strong magnets used in electric vehicles, renewable energy, electronics, aerospace, and defence. It will cover the full process from rare earth oxides to metals, metals to alloys, and alloys to finished magnets. India now depends mainly on imports and its demand for REPMs is expected to double by 2030.

The Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), Ministry of Ayush, launched SIDDHI 2.0 in Vijayawada. SIDDHI means Scientific Innovation in Drug Development, Healthcare and Integration. The two day national conclave was organised by Regional Ayurveda Research Institute (RARI) with Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). The event promotes research based product development and industry partnerships in Ayurveda. The platform supports start ups, shared Intellectual Property Rights and global quality standards.

In November 2025, the Union Minister of Jal Shakti inaugurated the Vision for Sujalam Bharat Summit 2025 in New Delhi. The summit follows the vision of the Prime Minister to promote cooperative federalism and evidence-based policymaking. It is part of NITI Aayog’s (National Institution for Transforming India) six national thematic summits. The water sector theme covers rivers, drinking water, sanitation, groundwater, irrigation, and rural–urban water management. Six national workshops were held on rivers, greywater reuse, water technology, recharge, drinking water, and behaviour change.

Israel approved a plan to bring all the remaining 5,800 Bnei Menashe people from India over the next five years. Bnei Menashe is an ethnic community from Mizoram and Manipur in North-East India. They claim descent from the biblical Tribe of Manasseh, one of the lost tribes of Israel. They were Christians who later adopted Judaism and follow Jewish customs and festivals. Historians believe they came to India around 300 to 500 years ago. After contact with Israel in the 1980s, they adopted modern Jewish education and practices. About half the community has already migrated and taken Israeli citizenship. Around 1,200 will move by 2026 and the remaining 4,600 by 2030, completing the migration.

The Hawfinch was recently recorded at Jim Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand. It is native to Europe, North Africa, and East Asia. Its scientific name is Coccothraustes coccothraustes. It lives in forests, orchards, parks, and near streams. It is about 18 centimetres long with a wingspan of 29 to 33 centimetres. Its conservation status is Least Concern under the IUCN Red List.

The Entrepreneur-in-Residence Programme is becoming popular among young startups and innovators. It works under the National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations which is NIDHI. It encourages graduate students to choose entrepreneurship as a career. It provides financial and non-financial support in the form of a fellowship. It offers startup infrastructure, mentoring, technical guidance, and industry support. It is implemented by the Department of Science and Technology with NCL Venture Centre.

The Project Affected Peoples Forum (PAPF) of Arunachal Pradesh demanded that NHPC Limited rehire all local workers of the Etalin Hydroelectric Project after the project was transferred from SJVN Limited. The Etalin Hydroelectric Project is a 3,097 megawatt hydropower project planned on the Dri and Talo rivers in Dibang Valley, Arunachal Pradesh. It is among the largest hydropower projects in India by installed capacity. It will run as two run-of-the-river power schemes with two concrete gravity dams. The area is a major Himalayan biodiversity hotspot and home to the Idu-Mishmi tribal community.

The famous Karthigai Deepam festival began at Sri Arunachaleshwar Temple in Tiruvannamalai. The ten-day festival is held during the Tamil month of Karthigai and attracts huge public participation. Karthigai Deepam festival is primarily celebrated in Tamil Nadu.

India secured third rank as a major power in the Asia Power Index by the Lowy Institute based on overall national power. United States and China retained the first and second superpower positions. India improved from a middle power score of 38.1 in 2024 to 40 out of 100 this year. It ranked ahead of Japan and Russia. The rise is linked to economic and military strength, and strong performance in Operation Sindoor. The Central Industrial Security Force stopped a Pakistan-backed attack on the Uri Hydropower Plant. Economic ranking rose due to higher foreign investment and better global connectivity.